Whirlpool, Ulta, Okta, JPMorgan, Amgen Trending With Analysts

Analysts are intrested in these 5 stocks: ( (WHR) ), ( (ULTA) ), ( (OKTA) ), ( (JPM) ) and ( (AMGN) ). Here is a breakdown of their recent ratings and the rationale behind them.

Whirlpool is back in the spotlight as two major firms launch coverage with a cautious stance. Brett Linzey at Mizuho starts Whirlpool at Hold with a $55 target, citing pressure from tariffs, weak shipments, soft consumers, and even the risk of another dividend cut. He likes the long-term potential from restructuring, cost cuts, and a $300 million laundry upgrade, but sees high leverage and dividend worries justifying a discount.

Linzey’s bull case hinges on tariff changes that could favor Whirlpool’s largely U.S. manufacturing base, possible activist moves by Appaloosa, Fed rate cuts that could revive housing, and better execution on a $150 million-plus cost-out plan. Kyle Menges at Citi also initiates with a Neutral and a $60 target, viewing Whirlpool as a “tariff winner” but expecting a slow housing recovery and continued concerns around debt and shareholder pressure.

Menges models 2026 earnings below management’s guidance, pointing to a soft U.S. housing backdrop and macro worries. He still sees room for earnings growth in 2027–2028, helped by portfolio changes and ongoing cost savings. His valuation assumes Whirlpool is in a trough earnings year, justifying a slightly higher multiple but leaving the overall risk/reward looking balanced.

Ulta Beauty is drawing fresh enthusiasm as Jefferies’ Sydney Wagner upgrades the stock to Buy with a $700 target. The call leans heavily on a renewed upswing in makeup, which drives roughly 38% of Ulta’s sales and is seen as early in a multi‑year cycle. As industry data and search trends confirm growing interest in products like blush and concealer, Ulta looks better placed to turn that momentum into steady traffic and margins.

The upgrade also reflects clear progress in merchandising. After lagging on newer, trend‑driven brands, Ulta has revamped its assortments, filled key gaps, and moved from playing catch‑up to pursuing “whitespace” opportunities. Management has reset expectations on costs, signaling disciplined SG&A growth rather than a push back to peak margins, which lowers downside risk while still allowing modest margin expansion to support earnings durability.

Okta is stepping back into favor with Barclays as analyst Saket Kalia upgrades the stock to Overweight and nudges the price target to $90. A new CIO survey shows identity security is now the top spending priority for IT leaders, and Okta’s standing among preferred vendors has rebounded sharply since its post‑breach low. With identity the largest and one of the fastest‑growing security segments, Okta’s broad reach across sub‑markets offers multiple growth drivers.

Kalia also reports better intra‑quarter checks, pointing to improving demand, stronger channel engagement, and smoother execution after last year’s sales reorganization. A new twist is Okta’s early move into “agentic” security products, where protecting AI agents could be treated as an identity problem. Early six‑figure deals in this area hint at a call option on a new wave of spending, reinforcing the bullish stance.

JPMorgan Chase enters the conversation with a fresh Buy initiation from KBW’s Paul Johnson and a punchy $363 target. While the detailed thesis text is truncated, the inclusion alongside other upbeat banking calls suggests confidence in JPMorgan’s earnings power and balance sheet strength. As a bellwether U.S. bank, JPM is often viewed as a core holding when investors expect stable credit trends and solid capital returns.

The new coverage likely reflects expectations that JPMorgan can navigate rate shifts better than peers, monetizing its scale, diversified revenue streams, and strong risk management. For investors seeking a large, liquid financial stock with a long track record of managing cycles, the Buy rating and high target underscore JPM’s status as a go‑to name in the sector.

Amgen gets a more measured reception as Canaccord’s Gary Nachman initiates coverage at Hold with a $366 target. He acknowledges strong execution in key growth products such as Repatha, Evenity, Tavneos, Uplizna, Tezspire, and the new oncology drug Imdelltra, supported by a broad, catalyst‑rich pipeline across obesity, cardiovascular disease, oncology, and rare conditions. Amgen’s expanding biosimilars franchise and solid balance sheet also stand out.

Yet Nachman stresses that looming patent expiries and pricing pressure on major franchises like Prolia/Xgeva, Otezla, and Enbrel could cap top‑line growth. Success of obesity drug candidate MariTide is a big swing factor, but competition is fierce and data so far is mixed. With leverage elevated after the Horizon deal and less room for big acquisitions, he sees limited upside beyond his DCF‑based target, which values Amgen near sector averages and implies a balanced risk/reward.